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  Selected Secret Documents from Soviet Foreign Policy Documents Archives - 1919 to 1941

Concentrated on 1st and  2nd WW Correspondence and Meetings related to Turkey, Balkans and Iran, with some additions from Afghanistan and India.

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March 18, 1938, telegram from the charge dʹaffaires of the USSR in Germany g. A. Astakhov to the peopleʹs commissariat of foreign affairs of the USSR

The Turkish ambassador assures that at this time there are no phenomena signifying the intensification of German activity in Turkey ***. Trade friction continues. He believes, however, quite likely that in connection with the capture of Austria, Germany will increase its activity in the Balkans, primarily in Yugoslavia, but also in Turkey. He expects clarification of the situation in this regard after Ciano’s upcoming visit to Ankara. In general, he emphasizes that Germanyʹs influence has increased enormously at the expense of Italy, which will dramatically affect the situation in Hungary and the Balkans.

Chargé dʹaffaires

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April 30, 1938, telegram from the plenipotentiary representative of the USSR in Turkey A.V. Terentyev to the peopleʹs commissariat of foreign affairs of the USSR

I personally informed Menemencioglu about the transfer of 10,000 am. Dollars in favor of victims of the earthquake. Menemencioglu was extremely touched by this message, expressed an ardent feeling of gratitude and excitedly declared that the Turkish people, having learned about the help provided to them by the Soviet people, will never forget this vivid feeling of friendly relations.

Plenipotentiary

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* see doc. .49 152.170. ** means Francesco salata.

May 12, 1938, from telegram of the plenipotentiary representative of the USSR in Great Britain to the peopleʹs commissariat of foreign affairs of the USSR *

Immediately on May 12, 1938

Turkish ambassador Fethi informed me that the Turkish government bought 24 Bristol bombers from the British with cash and some of them have already been delivered to Turkey. He further said that the Turks are finishing negotiations with the British about loans of two kinds. First, about a loan of 6 million pounds for the purchase of warships in England. Secondly, about trade credits in the order of the export department scheme (as with our 10 million loan **). The Turks are asking for £ 10 million over ten years, mainly for their port construction. The British take the Turkish wishes positively, but the issue will be finally resolved in the next din.

May

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* see doc. Chg 183. ** see vol. Xix doc. L ”236. *** see doc. L? 180.